Offering Flagstaff Mental Health Services Since 1969

Self Care and You

Do you ever find yourself in the midst of your day or week feeling burnt out? Or getting easily frustrated with your coworkers or family? How about dreaming of a life alone with no one else in it – just you on a beach surrounded by some palm trees?

If so, stress may be getting the better of you and it may be time to take a step back and refocus. Practicing good self-care can help you bounce back from stress more quickly and reduce the negative impact it has on the body and mind.

What is self-care?

Let’s think about it. Self-care: taking care of yourself. Doing things to care for you and your well-being. Ask yourself: what do I do to re-energize, to fill up my energy pitcher when it is getting low? How do I recharge my batteries so I am ready to interact with others and accomplish what I’ve set out to do today? This is how you take care of you.

Self-care is different for everyone, and that’s OK. It might be relaxing aromatherapy and a bubble bath. Or maybe it is getting into your “flow” and getting focused on a project or work. It might be a hard workout. Whatever recharges you is the key. What refreshes and energizes you might not have the same effect on your best friend or spouse. And what works for the other person may or may not work for you.

Your self-care toolbox

Reflect on activities that bring you positive energy. Maybe you don’t know what works for you yet. Or maybe you are wondering if your current strategies are giving you the results you desire.

Below are some suggestions to get you started. The more tools we have to choose from, the easier it is to accomplish a job, right? Review and try one or two of the ideas and pay attention to which activities help you rebuild positive energy, regain focus, and most importantly – reduce stress. You may need to try different activities based upon the situation. And one last important thing to remember: self-care can take as little as a few minutes a day!

Listen to classical music when working at your computer

Take deep breaths as part of your daily routine

Focus on what you’re grateful for

Do a word puzzle or read a book

Dance to your favorite song

Take a slow walk and observe nature

Clean a room/Cook a special meal

Listen to yourself

Play with your pets

Have a daily routine

Laugh with your kids

Take a warm bath

Take an extra-long lunch once a week to be with someone special

Binge-watch your favorite show

Take a nap

Walk away from negative people

Have a debate with someone you trust

Talk to someone with a positive attitude

Write down your goals and figure out how you can achieve them

Congratulate yourself on progress toward your goals (even if it is only a little progress)

*The information contained in this blog posting is not intended to be used for legal or clinical guidance. The expressions viewed in this post are those of the author and may not represent The Guidance Center.

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What Do Our Clients Say?

TGC has been there for me, and I will continue to use TGC. TGC has helped me see there is hope, especially after losing my son, 4 family member's, working on myself, as well as working on family issues, mental health, and much more. Thank you to all the staff and being there for me as well as my family.